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Are the beaches in the UAE safe? With the news of yet another drowning in Jumeirah, it is a reasonable enough question to ask. There have been drownings before, not just at that beach, but elsewhere along the coast, and sadly, it is very likely there will be more incidents unless proper measures are taken to ensure such events cannot occur.
Are there enough fully-trained professional lifeguards on duty on all public beaches? Costly, agreed, but a minimal cost when compared to the cost of losing a life. Is there adequate equipment to assist lifeguards in carrying out their duties? Certainly there are emergency services available, but the response time to get to the scene, no matter how quick, may not be quick enough.
It is known there are a number of beaches that shelve dramatically, thus rendering bathers an increased danger, especially if there are rip currents, which can and do occur. With the onset of the summer months, many people gravitate to the beaches in the evening and some even sleep overnight. Therefore proper safety arrangements are essential. The municipalities advise people not to swim at night, but this is often ignored, thereby increasing danger to the swimmers. Therefore, improved security for bathers is essential.
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